The single-family rental (SFR) sector once again demonstrated strength and durability last quarter amid a general softening of the for-sale home market. Arbor Realty Trust’s Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, leverages first-class data analysis to show why SFR’s investment return profile has grown more attractive in the last year.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocations are about to grow following funding extensions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law in July. With market-based borrowing costs also declining, the affordable rental sector could be on the verge of its most accommodative financing environment in years.
In this new video, Dr. Sam Chandan, one of the commercial real estate industry’s leading scholars, shares his expert insight on Arbor Realty Trust’s latest Special Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics.
The long-term outlook for small multifamily remains decisively positive, supported by attractive pricing and strong demand for market-rate housing.
Alongside our award-winning work, Arbor Realty Trust’s nationwide staff consistently gives back to the communities where we live and work. This fall, several of our teams rolled up their sleeves to assist Habitat for Humanity chapters in Miami and Boston with housing initiatives that are making a difference locally.
Rental housing’s long-term investment outlook remains head and shoulders above its peers, driven by structural supply constraints and steady demand growth, finds the 2026 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report. Explore this trend and other key takeaways from the 47th edition of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PwC’s influential industry report.
Small multifamily assets have begun to settle into a consistent pattern of growth following two years of price corrections. Building on the findings of Arbor Realty Trust’s Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report Q4 2025, our research teams look more closely at recent pricing trends and the factors driving the turnaround.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a $30 billion boost to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s volume cap for loan purchases in 2026 to $176 billion ($88 billion for each agency). This increase in FHFA loan caps for 2026 aligns with industry expectations, given the anticipation of improving market conditions and lending activity expected in a lower interest rate environment. Next year’s cap for the Government-Sponsored Entities (GSEs) is an increase of approximately 20% from the $146 billion limit set for 2025.
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Torrance
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The owner of a California apartment community wanted to add 12 new units to a multifamily complex located in the heart of the South Bay region of Los Angeles. This repeat Arbor borrower utilized a short-term, variable-rate bridge loan in part to finance the new units; later, the owner sought to convert their bridge loan to permanent, long-term, fixed-rate financing. The borrower was also interested in exploring how enrolling in green financing could provide additional cost savings.
Arbor thoroughly examined the borrower’s position and cash flow and determined they would benefit most from securing a long-term fixed-rate loan through Arbor’s versatile FHA 223(f). We then educated the apartment complex owner about the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) green program and how it could benefit them. Next, we worked closely with our partners at HUD to secure our borrower a fixed-rate FHA 223(f) loan with permanent financing that would maximize net operating income (NOI) as the asset accumulates cash flow.
In response to market conditions, Arbor acted quickly. Through our long-standing relationships at HUD, we expeditiously generated a firm commitment for our borrower and closed within 30 days. The entire Bridge-to-HUD process took only 15 months. They received long-term fixed-rate permanent financing to add units to an upscale apartment community, which includes a gym, a swimming pool, and electric solar panels. Our borrower was then able to lock in a highly competitive rate with additional cost savings available through HUD’s green program. The accommodation of the 12 new units within the underwriting process went seamlessly, resulting in expeditious execution that eliminated interest volatility and, ultimately, maximize loan proceeds.